The explainer in the relationship between the museum and the public: a case study of the MIDE of Mexico

Abstract

The role of the explainer has become a fundamental piece for any typology of museums and their visitors. This stakeholder, who has surpassed the traditional role of the guide, stands as one of the most promising and necessary in museums of all typologies. This paper presents a survey conducted at the Museo Interactivo de Economía (MIDE) in Mexico City (Mexico). The sample collected is 93 questionnaires applied to the museum's explainers, young university students between 20 and 30 years of age. The data collected was coded using Excel. Among other conclusions, the analysis indicates that 71% of the mediators attended the training offered by the museum and 84.9% consider that science and technology are beneficial for the humanity. The survey revealed other results: the explainers consider themselves a service and a bridge between the museum and the public; the most recurrent roles assumed by these explainers in the museum is to guide exhibitions and provide informal explanations to visitors. Adolescents and the school groups are the audiences who they attend the most in their work routine.